Table of Contents
28 states of India and their languages is a represents the country’s remarkable linguistic variety. Each state has its own official languages that embody its distinct heritage and character. From the North’s Hindi-speaking heartland to the South’s Dravidian languages, and from the Bengali language of West Bengal to the Marathi spoken in Maharashtra out West, these languages are a fundamental part of local culture and everyday life. This diversity in languages not only shapes how people communicate within each state but also adds depth and uniqueness to India’s collective identity as a nation.
Linguistic Diversity in India
India is renowned for its diverse languages and dialects. The Greenberg’s Linguistic Diversity Index (LDI) rates this diversity from 0 to 1, with 0 meaning everyone speaks the same language. In India, the LDI is 0.78 (121 languages) but increases to 0.9 when including mother tongues. UNESCO suggests it’s 0.93 with more languages, including endangered ones.
Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh are the most linguistically diverse states. India houses nearly 19,500 dialects, with 1500 mother tongues grouped into 114 major languages from various language families. The Constitution recognizes 22 official languages, ensuring protection for linguistic minorities.
List of 28 States of India and Their Major Languages
Here is the list of all 28 states of India and their capitals and languages:
| State | Languages | Capital |
| Andhra Pradesh | Telugu | Hyderabad/Amravati |
| Arunachal Pradesh {AP} | English | Itanagar |
| Assam | Assamese | Dispur |
| Bihar | Hindi | Patna |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi | Raipur |
| Goa | Konkani | Panaji |
| Gujarat | Gujarati | Gandhinagar |
| Haryana | Hindi | Chandigarh |
| Himachal Pradesh {HP} | Hindi | Shimla |
| Jharkhand | Hindi | Ranchi |
| Karnataka | Kannada | Bangalore |
| Kerala | Malayalam | Trivandrum |
| Madhya Pradesh {MP} | Hindi | Bhopal |
| Maharashtra | Marathi | Mumbai |
| Manipur | Meiteilon (Manipuri) | Imphal |
| Meghalaya | English | Shillong |
| Mizoram | Mizo, English & Hindi | Aizawl |
| Nagaland | English | Kohima |
| Odisha | Odia | Bhubaneshwar |
| Punjab | Punjabi | Chandigarh |
| Rajasthan | Hindi | Jaipur |
| Sikkim | English | Gangtok |
| Tamil Nadu | Tamil | Chennai |
| Telangana | Telugu & Urdu | Hyderabad |
| Tripura | Bengali, English & Kokborok | Agartala |
| Uttar Pradesh {UP} | Hindi | Lucknow |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi | Dehradun |
| West Bengal {WB} | Bengali | Kolkata |
8 Union Territories of India and Their Major Languages
Here is the list of 8 union territories and their languages with capitals:
| Name of the Union Territory | Languages | Capital |
| Andaman & Nicobar Island | Hindi & English | Port Blair |
| Chandigarh | English | Chandigarh |
| Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu | Gujarati, Marathi, Konkani & Hindi | Daman |
| Jammu and Kashmir | Kashmiri, Dogri, English, Hindi, Urdu | Srinagar (Summer Capital), Jammu (Winter capital) |
| Delhi | Hindi | Delhi |
| Ladakh | Ladakhi, Purgi, Hindi, English | Leh, Kargil |
| Lakshadweep | Malayalam & English | Kavaratti |
| Pondicherry | Tamil | Pondicherry |
List of India States with English as Official Language
These states have adopted English as one of their official languages, primarily due to their diverse linguistic communities and historical contexts.
| State | Official Language(s) |
|---|---|
| Arunachal Pradesh | English |
| Nagaland | English |
| Meghalaya | English, Khasi, Garo |
| Manipur | Meiteilon (Manipuri), English |
| Mizoram | Mizo, English |
| Sikkim | English, Nepali, Sikkimese, Lepcha |
List of Indian States with Hindi as Official Language
These states have adopted Hindi as one of their official languages, reflecting the widespread use of Hindi in northern India.
| State | Official Language(s) |
|---|---|
| Bihar | Hindi |
| Chhattisgarh | Hindi |
| Haryana | Hindi |
| Himachal Pradesh | Hindi |
| Jharkhand | Hindi |
| Madhya Pradesh | Hindi |
| Rajasthan | Hindi |
| Uttar Pradesh | Hindi |
| Uttarakhand | Hindi |
Impact of Language on State Formation in India
The impact of language on the formation of states in India is a complicated matter that has both strengthened the idea of Indian unity and presented challenges. Creating states based on languages has helped preserve local customs, culture, and festivals. It has also met the desires of people for self-governing areas and promoted the growth of regional languages and local language education. This, in turn, has improved the country’s literacy rate.
Example:
- The creation of Andhra Pradesh for people who speak Telugu, Karnataka for those who speak Kannada, and Maharashtra for those who speak Marathi are instances where language played a significant role in shaping states in India.
- The request for a distinct Telangana state, which was later separated from Andhra Pradesh, was primarily driven by the Telugu-speaking community’s linguistic identity.
Endangered Languages in India
India is home to a lot of languages that are at risk of disappearing. UNESCO says there are about 197 Indian languages in danger. To help save and record these languages, the Indian government made a plan called the Scheme for Protection and Preservation of Endangered Languages (SPPEL) in 2013. The Central Institute of Indian Languages in Mysuru, Karnataka, helps with this plan. Right now, they are keeping an eye on 117 languages, and there are 500 more not-so-well-known ones they want to look into.
Some examples of endangered languages in India are Toto, which is in really bad shape and spoken by just a little over 1000 people. Another one is Mahasu Pahari, which comes from the Mahasu district and is also at risk. There are many other languages in India facing this problem, like A’tong, Adi, Aimol, Aiton, Anal, Bori, Brokshat, Bunan, Byangsi, Chambeali, Chang, Chokri, Churahi, Dakpa, Darma, and more. This is a global issue, and it’s important to protect and preserve these languages to keep India’s rich cultural heritage alive.
FAQs on 28 States of India and Their Major Languages
Which state was first by language?
Andhra Pradesh was the first state in India formed on a linguistic basis, where Telugu is the primary language.
Which Indian language is first?
Sanskrit is considered one of the earliest languages in India, with its literature and texts forming a significant part of ancient Indian culture.
Is Tamil or Sanskrit older?
Tamil is older than Sanskrit. Tamil has a recorded history of over 2000 years, with its earliest literature dating back to around 5th century BCE.
Which language is mother of all languages?
Sanskrit is often called the mother of all languages, especially in India, due to its extensive use in ancient Indian literature and its influence on many Indian languages.
What is India's 2nd oldest language?
After Tamil, Sanskrit is considered the second oldest language in India, deeply influencing the cultural and religious landscape of Indian civilization.
Which is the king of all languages?
Sanskrit is often revered as the king of all languages due to its richness, complexity, and significant role in shaping the linguistic heritage of India.
